Tunisia, boom in exports

At the end of October 2018, Tunisia registered significant increases in the export of fish products, both in terms of quantity and economic value.

Exports of fish products, from the beginning of the year until the end of October, were, in fact, 20.945 tons, with an increase of 31,8% compared to the same period of 2017, which translates into economic terms in a increase of 30,32%, with a value of 422,5 million dinars.

The Ministry of Agriculture explained that this increase is mainly attributable to exports of crabs, octopus, canned tuna and shrimps. He also said that Tunisian exports are directed to 47 destinations, including the main ones, in terms of economic value, are Italy (34,9%), Spain (19,1%), Malta (17,9%) and Libya (4,6%).

In particular, crab exports recorded an increase of 417% up to October 2018, from 505 tonnes in 2017 to 2.612 tonnes this year. Tunisia’s crab exports are mainly to Thailand (1.325,5 tonnes), Malaysia (390,6 tonnes), Vietnam (390,6 tonnes) and Italy (255,9 tonnes).

Even sea bream exports recorded a significant increase of 164,8%, reaching 3.088 tons, compared to 1.166 tons in 2017. Sea bream exports generated 43,8 million dinars, compared to 15,2 million dinars in the same period of 2017, an increase of 188%. The main destinations for Tunisian sea bream are Jordan (1.079,7 tons), United Arab Emirates (704 tons), Saudi Arabia (592,2 tons) and Libya (522,8 tons).